The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fashion

  • What to expect in New Year

    What to expect in New Year

    THERE was so much enthusiasm in the fashion scene by old and new designers in 2013. It is only natural that these designers are going to sustain the moment and come up with classic designs for men and women of class.

    When it comes to casual and corporate wear, there would be new designs and creations from the archives with some moderations here and there. Some fabrics that are making waves at the moment are likely to continue to dominate, while new ones would be discovered too.

    At the moment, there are so many choices when it comes to the ankara fabric. The fabric has taken the minimalist outlook with the blend with other fabric that gives it the international flavour. Accessories like bags, shoes and belts would come with details that are more exciting and adventurous.

    Like the ankara, one other fabric that is equally going to get more competitive is the velvet and suede. It is also very flexible, and it would be used for outfits and the design of a number of accessories that are must-haves. The French lace and dry lace would also continue to be explored for styles that are cute and creative by designers who know their onions.

  • Looking fabulous this Yuletide

    Looking fabulous this Yuletide

    THIS certainly is the time of year when celebration is uppermost on the agenda. It is indeed the best time to look good and fabulous. Interestingly, middle-aged men and women today are becoming more and more interested in fashion and style. This trend has been sparked by the growing number of advertising campaigns for men and women fashion magazines that encourage them to be more conscious about fashion and style.

    As a result, suits, designer watches, cool shoes, luxury skincare products, and basic makeup have been very popular for 50-something men. Old is the new, and with that, 50 is the new 30. This only applies, however, if you were a very good boy way back in your younger years. If you took good care of your health by staying fit, ate the right food, knew what moisturisers are for, and maintained an open and fresh attitude to the world, you should be looking sizzling hot by now. If you continue taking good care of yourself, you’ll continue to have that “certified hottie” label by the time you’re a grandpa. Fashion is not about numbers.

    Forget about your age. Sure, there are clothes tailor-made for young guys, but fashion is all about your body shape and what works for you to maintain a unique modern look. If you have a killer V-body, which at age 50 is so darn hot, wear something that looks good for an athletic physique. As you mature, your style must be sleeker, more sophisticated, and less fussy. Don’t be lost, think about Hugo Boss. If you don’t have the budget for designer clothing, get an inspiration from the design and look for less expensive interpretation of similar styles. It is recommended that you buy fewer but better pieces each season

  • ‘My journey in fashion’

    ‘My journey in fashion’

    For Ejiro Amos Tafiri, becoming a global brand and exploring new opportunities in the textile industry is something that must be attained. In her collection, the variety of styles presented depicts the designer’s creative ability in stretching beyond a singular structure and design as she manages to cover all areas of ready-to-wear. In this an interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she reveals her driving force and how it made her reap a number of awards and recognitions over the years.

    WHAT would you describe as the turning point in your career?

    Barely a year into our existence, we were selected to represent Nigeria by USAID at Origin Africa which took place in Mauritius. It was a show for African designers and manufacturers to discuss the sector in Africa. It was a great platform for networking and I actually got designer friends from 10 countries in Africa. Mauritius had lots of opportunities and it broadened my horizon and gave me a future for my business.

    How did you get into the fashion business?

    I went to Queens College Yaba, Lagos. I wanted to be a doctor and when I did my exams, the vocational subject was agriculture and I got A3, and for me that was not good enough. I switched to clothing and textiles and I did well. I later went to the Yaba College of Technology where I studied clothing technology.

    What was the experience at Yabatech like?

    It was interesting but tough. First, I had to prove to my parent who did not understand why I dropped medicine for fashion. I did OND and HND there and all through the period, I was always the best student. Interestingly, I had basically science results but I was determined to stand out. In school, I got the best student ND in 2006, best graduating student in fashion.

    Who or what influenced your career in the industry?

    My first internship was with Zizi Cardow. She was a strong inspiration in my career. She made me believe in myself and made me focus on what I wanted. After Zizi, I worked with Tiffany Amber and this was where I learnt the business side of fashion. I also learnt how to understand women. I come from a family of all boys; mum was a tomboy and I didn’t really understand what women wanted.

    So this was a very healthy marriage of opportunities for me. During my Youth Service, I went to Kaine Bode George’s Out Of Africa and I worked here as a junior designer and production assistant. I rose to become senior designer and chief designer that same year. Everyone I worked with mentored me in different ways. I got other opportunities with more money but I decided to stay here because it was what I wanted to do.

    What was the driving force for you?

    When I got in I already knew what I wanted but I needed to understand orgnisational structure which I found was in place there. She was very organised and I learnt that from her. I put everything into what I was doing and they found that the stuffs that I designed sold more.

    How would you describe the clothes in your collection?

    What I make are Afropolitan dresses. Usually, I try to make clothes for real women. Through my designs, I try to tell my African story as well as make it a cross continental thing. In addition, I try to drape, and in Africa we are known for that. I use a lot of cotton, chiffon and some African fabrics. I also make a lot of dresses.

    What motivates your designs?

    I am inspired by different cultures. I love travelling, reading and watching movies. In the process, I get a lot of inspiration, and for me creativity is like going on an adventure.

    Who are your targets?

    I love to design clothes for upwardly mobile young women. These are women who are comfortable in their style and what they wear. Here we are talking about women in their late 20s to late 60s.

    Tell us some of the fashion shows and exhibitions that you have participated in

    We have participated in the two ARISE magazine’s shows. We have also done the three Lagos fashion shows and designs sponsored By MTN and GTB respectively.

    What role did your parents play in all of these?

    Both of them are paramilitary. My dad retired from the SSS while my mother retired as an immigration officer. They were strict and this upbringing made me focused as well as made me want to be excellent at all times. Striving to be best made my parents happy all the time.

    How do you source your materials considering the fact that our textile industry is dead?

    It is really sad. Everything is imported and there is no confidence in things done here. We are all buying from outside the country. It would be better to grow the industry and make things better.

    Where do you hope to be in the next five years?

    We want to be sold in all the major cities of the world. We are currently in three places in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. This is for mainly distribution and our dream is to go into leather goods and accessories and ultimately be a lifestyle brand.

    What has been the response?

    It is encouraging. Every time we present our show to any audience they are impressed. The response has been good. It is very stressful, demanding but quite rewarding.

    If you had to advise young people, what would you tell them?

    They should always make sure that what they are going into is something that they really want.

  • FASHION FUSION

    FASHION FUSION

    ARE you ready for Fashion Fusion 2013? It is scheduled to hold at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Expressway, Lagos on December 19. The event, which is organized by Ebere C.Ekeledo (LOC Group), Williams (Avante NG). This is the first edition of fashion fusion, but the organizer guaranteed it is going to be a yearly event.

    Special guests include Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Zazi Cardow, Funke Ogunde, Adebayo Oke Lawal, Mai Atafo, Uche Nnaji and Lanre Dasilva-Ajayi.

    This youth empowerment initiative has been created to target and empower aspiring young designers who have found their passion for fashion and ventured into the fashion industry. The showcasing designers are Kola Kudus, Josh Samuel, Emeka Couture, Old Religion, Ti Nathan and Dadubajo.

  • GTB lifts SMEs at Lagos fashion exhibition

    GTB lifts SMEs at Lagos fashion exhibition

    As a demonstration of its commitment towards the development of the small and medium scale enterprises in the country, GTBank facilitated the GTB Lagos Fashion and Design Week recently.

    The essence of the exhibition, according to the organisers, was to present a perfect opportunity for fashion and fashion related community to show their work before a focused target audience, which holds a vital tool for the creative development of Nigerian creative industries.

    One of the exhibitors, St. David’s , experts in leather craft, with a special focus on shoes, opened its array of stylishly crafted leather products from shoes, bags, belts, wrist bangles and other custom leather products. There was a bespoke touch among the items shown.

    A few other labels alongside St. David’s at the exhibition include Nikki Khiran, Buttons, Republic of Foreigner, Mode Arts and Olanrewaju Lagos.

    Justifying his firm’s participation at the exhibition, Creative Director, St. David’s, said it was to create awareness for African shoe designs, in terms of quality and style.

    “We have come to show the public that leather items that can match world standard can be produced here in Nigeria. This is also reflected by the expression of awe shown by visitors to our stand. A lot of them have realised that their quest for Italian shoes was futile all along,” he emphasised.

    The St. David’s brand also gave an insight into its youth empowerment programme, which it runs in collaboration with a non-profit, nongovernmental organisation, Youth Concerns and Development Initiatives Africa.

    The aim, according to Davids, “Is to train young Nigerians on leather craft, at the end of which they would be self sufficient. We seek to admit young and vibrant school leavers who are passionate about carving a niche in leatherworks for themselves. Youth empowerment has always been our drive at St. David’s Skill Acquisition Training (SSAT). We help reduce the unemployment rate in our country, Nigeria and beyond.”

  • ‘Fashion can drive growth’

    ‘Fashion can drive growth’

    You have a lot going for you as an undergraduate, what is the secret?

    Basically, it is God.

    Your fashion show “Rip The Runway” held recently was well-attended by guests from within Nigeria and overseas. How were you able to achieve this considering the event was the maiden edition?

    We carefully selected our guests and got assurance of their attendance weeks before the event. We also looked at the logistics properly and this helped us build a dynamic team that ensured proper planning and publicity for the show.

    What does Tudors Group stand for?

    Tudors Group stands for quality in fashion, music and artiste management.

    Some say fashion is instinctive; others say it is learned from culture. What does fashion mean to you?

    To me, fashion is simply the expression of one’s inner self in colours, cuts and combinations.

    There has been a growing interest in fashion, especially among youths, with many designers, clothiers and fashion outfits emerging from the industry. What do you think is responsible for this?

    I believe our generation is getting more fashion-conscious every day. Also, the re-emergence of the middle class and its wide patronage of fashion vendors is getting more youths to use their talents in fashion to develop the industry. Simply put, where there is opportunity, there will be seekers. It is a case of bees to a honeycomb.

    Despite a boom in the fashion industry, it appears Nigeria still has a long way to go compared to France, Italy and others. Does the growth of these countries in fashion have any negative effect on the local fashion business?

    First, we have to know that by nature, human beings have different perceptions and preferences in fashion. What is fashionable to me may not be attractive to you. And I may prefer Western style while your own preference may beArabian fashion. But at every stage of human existence, maturity comes in and I believe, in due time, Nigeria will match these countries in fashion and might even go beyond their limits.

    Where do you see the fashion industry in the next 10 years and where do you see Tudors Group?

    We are getting good signals with respect to our fashion industry as an avenue to stop crime, youth restiveness and unemployment. I see the Tudors Group in this line of growth.

    Is it worth it to leave a lucrative job for fashion without fear of going bankrupt?

    Yes, I do and a lot of people are witnesses to this fact.

    How do you combine your academics with fashion business?

    It is about proper time management and, most importantly, God’s grace.

     

  • Go wild with Ankara

    Go wild with Ankara

    THE fact is clothing does more than just concealing your body, it has the ability to accentuate your figure, minimize your flaws, give you the image of either professionalism, conveys your individuality and make you feel your best. As civilized human beings, clothing is a requirement that make you to be decent and presentable to the public. Fashion adds a sense of beauty, color and overall interest to society. It allows not only different sets of cultures but also individuals to express themselves physically. And just as society and cultures can change rapidly into other various forms, fashion trends and style can change perhaps even faster. Those with an interest in fashion seek to keep up with such changes. Also, fashion is used not only as a way of clothing the physical form, but also as a means of helping to articulate a person’s individualism, a group’s ideals and/or people’s view on the world. The nature of fashion therefore plays a vital role in highlighting the public’s overall consciousness and expressive state of mind African print (Ankara) has taken a huge leap from the streets of West Africa to the hottest red carpets, videos and runways around the world. You don’t need to go head to toe in lace and print to rep your African heritage. Ankara gowns and jackets are often less expensive than buying a whole outfit and can give your outfit an edge and pop to stand out when you are out on the town, at school or even (depending on the colors of the print and your profession) within the business world. Here are several different cuts of ankara in gowns and variations of jackets!

  • Black and white office wear

    Black and white office wear

    FOR some people, black and white combination is known to be good for spring, but for others, it is a choice that can be used all year round.

    While it is almost a wrong choice to wear white shoes when the weather gets cold, you will find some of the combinations of black and white quite traditionally pleasing for office wear. Contrasting is a style that is quite common when it comes to making choices between black and white. Without a keen eye on fashionable choices and combinations, it can prove a difficult task to select a few outfits with just black and white without ending up boring and repetitive. So, how can you look great and fresh every other day with black and white clothing in the office?

    Black and white suit with black shoes

    Almost no one can forget the impression created by a white suit. It can be coupled with a black top and black shoes to make a dramatic statement. The advantage with this suit is that it is all round and you can use its pristine background to show off some coloured shirts and blouses such as orange, red green and even prints and stripes of any hue. You can also choose to combine this with black accessories, especially during the cold season. For spring, try on some black patent leather shoes, while in summer, you could try some strappy patent leather sandals, black in colour, if your dress or suit has a bold print with black.

    Combinations with jackets

    With black and white, it is also possible to adapt well for the weather using, some additional accessories. A black jacket can be worn on both black and white pants and black and white dresses for the office provided you choose a good fit for your body size. You can opt for a black bottom and a white top combo that can be accessorised by almost any colour of a jacket. This will look not only uptown, but also very comfortable for the office, especially when you wear it with a Chanel-type collarless jacket that is trimmed with some white braids or a white banding on the neckline and front edges.

    For a black and white style, you can find almost anything you want, from stylish gowns, pants, sandals, shoes to any kind of accessories that will work perfectly for your choice of dress. To look unique and coming with a fresh style all the time, try to accessorize your dresses and suits in a different way each time.

  • Designers abroad can’t sew better than us; their only advantage over us is modern tools-Tailors & fashion designers association chief

    Designers abroad can’t sew better than us; their only advantage over us is modern tools-Tailors & fashion designers association chief

    In this interview with PAUL UKPABIO, Chief Tajudeen Ogundele, the First Vice-President of the Lagos State Tailors and Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (LASTFADAN) speaks on his mission for the association and the fashion world.

    You are the incumbent first Vice-President of LASTFADAN, why do you seek to be President?

    Leadership is about selfless service. I have served the association in many capacities in the past, starting as a branch chairman, Governor General of Professional Tailors and Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria in Agege Local Government before I moved to the state level. PTFDAN merged with several fashion associations to form LASTFADAN in response to the Lagos State government’s directive. I am now the First Vice-President of LASTFADAN and by God’s grace hope to become the president at the forthcoming election. We are very happy with the success so far. I have worked with other executives of this association day and night to build this enduring union with over 50,000 members in Lagos.

    Being the only recognised fashion association by the government of Lagos State; we strive daily to better the lot of our members. It will be my happiness if the association assumes a national status. My desire is to lead our ever conscious members to make our association great by building on existing gains achieved through our collective efforts. I know together we can lead our association to the promised land that will be the envy of others God’s willing. This I believe will strengthen the hope and our collective aspiration for the future prosperity of the association.

    Your association is fast growing, how do you intend to ensure free flow of communication to members?

    First and foremost, if elected, I would establish an excellent rapport among the leaders of the Amalgamated Tailoring Association and the Trustee Elders with the Local Government executive. No man is an island. You need the knowledge and contribution of everybody in the day to day running of the association. One needs to carry everybody along. There is strong need to bridge the communication gap within the branches chairmen and their leaders, improve cooperation with the local governments and also to support them in their activities that will aid development and progress in LASTFADAN. We also have to generate funds towards our own secretariat and similarly to make a very good welfare package for our past leaders and elders. You cannot ignore the past contributions of leaders and elders. This is what will make those in power to strive towards efforts that will bring economic development to all members because they know their efforts will not be in vain after leaving the office.

    How do you think your association’s effort can add to the economic development of Lagos?

    Under my leadership, there will be conscious efforts to improve on the collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, including all other relevant agencies of government. I commend the Lagos State government for its interest in the association. The government has provided us with a Vocational Education and Training Centre. With a population of not less than 50,000 members, the government has accepted us as stakeholders in the Lagos project. We are very grateful. Whatever progress that comes to our members will impact positively on the economy of the state. I believe if branding is introduced into our work, it will attract the young educated ones who can easily combine their level of education with skills acquired to promote the image of our country. I know there are so many agencies of government doing this but with the support of experienced practitioners, I believe our fashion world can change a great deal. There are so many designers abroad; they can’t sew better than us. The only advantage they have is that they have modern tools which improve their finishing. We have members who travel abroad and are exposed. So we know all these. What we require is institutional support and capacity; a continuous empowerment scheme to make our job neater and perfect. This ultimately will uplift the living standard of our members. And the Lagos State government has set the pace.

    With a population of not less than 50,000, your association is a big one. Won’t it be difficult to manage them?

    Our members are well exposed and mature. So they are not people you can push around. To lead them, you must have a clear vision and direction. You also need to enhance unity, transparency, accountability, prudence and sincerity among members. A good leader must promote cordial relationship among all members of the various organs of the association for general interests. To achieve this, he must maintain law and order by following laid down rules and regulations. The key to the success of a president as a true leader is to have a listening hear and always subject himself to corrections at all time. Marthin Luther King said: ‘He that lacks decision lacks true vision’. It is therefore incumbent on the president to take good decisions for the progress and development of the association.

    With the level of education of some of your members, how does it feel when people call you locals?

    It is ridiculous referring to fashion designers as local tailors when we have master’s degree holders in our folds appearing in runways all over the country. I can remember when the then Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, under the Unity Party of Nigeria, introduced free education in primary and secondary schools in the Second Republic. Our members then did not have enough apprentices as parents were sending their children to schools. I took it upon myself to educate several of our members on the importance of that education policy. I told them it would enhance the industry as people would learn faster and be more creative after graduation. We all can see the importance of education in the industry today. I advise our members to seek more education and training to ensure they can compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world. This is why we have always told those referring to our members as ‘local’ to leave their uninformed zone. Things have changed a great deal today. Many of our members are highly educated; this has translated to high quality designs. Our members design for high flyers in the society today.

  • Stay in the shade

    Stay in the shade

    A fashion accessory that is always in vogue among women irrespective of their age is a pair of sunglasses. Cool and Stylish, this useful accessory not only helps in keeping your eyes protected from the harsh sun and pollution but it also it gives you a glamorous look. Recently, over sized glasses have become a popular choice of accessories for girls and they are making all kinds of statements with it. While buying sunglasses, it is advisable that you look for unique shades and tints so that you stand out among your peers.

    Sunglasses with white frames are very unique; they look quite feminine and chic. It goes without saying that a good pair of sunglasses with UV protection is an essential in any wardrobe, any day of the year, or you can do damage to those pretty eyes. They’ll also keep you from squinting, which causes wrinkles and is never a good look. But a pair of sunnies at-the-ready can do so much more. Big sunglasses camouflage a late night. They’re great when you need to hide for any reason. They can also be a great asset if you’re tired, or if you’re not in the mood to be social. They make a heck of a better statement than a grumpy face or bloodshot eyes and tend to work on most facial shapes.